Legislation is in place affecting the sale and storage of fireworks. If you supply or sell fireworks, you should be aware of your responsibilities and recent changes to legislation. Full details of the legislation can be found in our Retailers Guide to Selling Fireworks which is downloadable at the bottom of this page.
Shops have to register or obtain a licence from Trading Standards to be allowed to store fireworks for sale. If they aren't registered or licensed, retailers could be fined up to £5,000 or given a prison sentence of up to six months.
It is illegal for retailers to sell caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents and throwdowns to anyone who is under 16 and to sell all other fireworks to anyone who is under 18.
Retailers must only sell fireworks that conform to British Safety Standards and meet certain noise conditions. They must have BS 7114 printed on the box.
Unless they have a special licence, suppliers must only sell fireworks during the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night, New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year.
Remember:
- You must register or obtain a licence to store fireworks.
- You must store fireworks safely.
- You must display a large notice reminding customers about the law with regard to underage sales and possession. Download a PDF of it by clicking here.
- You must not sell fireworks to anyone who is under 18 - even if they appear to be older (it is recommended that proof of age is sought).
- You must not sell caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents and throwdowns to anyone who is under 16.
- Boxes of fireworks must not be split and sold separately.
- All fireworks for the public must comply with the British Standard (BS 7114).
If you don't comply with these rules you could be fined £5,000 or imprisoned for 6 months.
Retailers Guide to Selling Fireworks can be